August 2003
I recently took my 2002 Polo (1.2 E 65) to France on holiday. Before going, I asked my VW dealer about headlamp converters (the handbook says consult your dealer). They duly ordered me a conversion kit (about £10) and fitted it (about £15). The kit turns out to be two small strips of adhesive tape, and apparently an adjustment to the lights was also necessary. They now tell me that I need to have the lights re-adjusted back for UK use.
Obviously I'm not happy at having to shell out some £25 each way (£50 total) for every foreign trip. With my old (1984) Polo, it was a simple matter of black insulating tape.
For the future, despite my requests for information, the dealer has not given any clear instructions as to whether and how I can carry out the adjustment myself.
Does anyone know how to do this for the 2002 Polo? Am I stuck with having to go to the dealer every time? Or with using some random black tape and taking a risk (including the risk of invalidating my insurance, I expect)?
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My MK4 Golf 1.6 has an unstable idle. It is at its worst when trying to fast-idle at 1,200rpm – it cycles between 1,000 and 2,000 revs with the throttle pedal “kicking” each time the revs reach 2,000.
I suspect the idle control valve may be faulty. Does anyone have any suggestions please?
The car is a 2000 W and has done 40,000 miles. It is an Auto.
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Stop-Press latest! The car became undriveable – it wouldn’t run below 1,400rpm and then very lumpily.
The inlet manifold was full of oil, so I took it off and washed it in petrol.
The plugs were due for changing, so I fitted a new set.
On re-assembly the car ran perfectly, with the idle rock-steady at 800rpm.
My conclusion is that the oil in its bronchial tubes caused the symptoms. The jury is still out over whether overfilling was the root cause, or if I will get a recurrence.
Incidentally, I tried to read the fault codes by linking pins 5 & 6 of the diagnostic connector. Unlike my Dad’s Vectra, there is no light on the dash with which to read the codes. Can anybody tell me how to do it please?
With thanks again to Honest John and contributors.
John D
Is it my imagination, but did diesel used to be cheaper than petrol in summer and slightly more expensive in winter when people bought heating oil?
I was looking forward to cheaper fuel in summer.
Oh well.
On my 3rd Citroen. Saxo, Xsara, C5. Read more
I think long ago diesel was much cheaper than petrol all the year round, because the tax used to be much lower. Now it is so much more popular in cars they have put the tax up. Watch the tax go up on LPG if it really catches on.
Do any Backroomers run / have experience of the A8 or S8 ? Reliability ? Alternative larger saloons to make a positive yet low-key statement to clients ?
MrW
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Hawkeye,
The A8 in \"Ronin\" is spectacular however the quattro system was disconnected to achieve the final driving scenes - with 4wd in place the action was not dramatic enough. Undramatic, comfort, understated and traction in all weather conditions - that is why any A8 is so special.
My car is up for change and after two problem free Volvos I fancy a change and was thinking of an Audi A4 cab.
The reviews wax lyrical, but the customer reviews and forums suggest a lot of problems (particularly with A4 coils and engine management systems). This surprised me as I thought Audi build quality was top notch.
Before I go test driving and risk heart overuling head - has anyone got any experience, good or bad, of the A4 petrols? Read more
Decision made.
I've gone for the 3 litre non quattro with black everything (the quattro takes too much off the performance) and I'm no racer so the grip of the two wheel drive is enough.
I've also ditched the "sports suspension" - the std is already firm enough and I wish to keep my fillings!
Thanks to those who replied. Can't wait to get my hands on it.
I am about to buy a 1983 VW Transporter (T3) campervan (1970cc air cooled) anybody got any suggestions for insurance companies?
I am 40, clean liscence, max no claims. Read more
Feast your eyes at
tinyurl.com/ld2d
Need I say more?
DVD
Does anyone know when Honda specify a cam-belt change for a 2000-year 2.0i Accord? For some reason, it isn't stated on the service schedule (possibly because it's a "x years/y miles, or whichever comes first" scenario).
If the change happens to coincide with a major service then I will be keen to dispose of the car before the approx. £600 bill comes my way!
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Find a good independant garage Burnout. That's a ridiculous amount for a cam-belt change...
Need your help on this one, need something fast and exciting for £3000?
I quite fancy a Calibra Turbo 4x4, but worried about transmission problems. But I need some more ideas before I commit.
Thanks for any help given. Read more
I would say go for the Civic too. Or maybe an Accord 2.3 non type-R. A friend has one and is very impressed - Q-car though.
Paul C
There is often debate in the BR as to the extent of \'rip off Britain\'. I decided to do a bit of research and so have obtained parts prices in the UK and in the US, for a range of service parts for one of my cars. The car is a 1998 Nissan Maxima/QX (\'A32\' chassis).
The parts prices are listed below. The first price is from a UK Nissan main dealer; the second price (in US $) is from a Nissan main dealer in Denver, Co. I have then converted the US price into UK sterling using an exchange rate of £1=$1.57 and given a sterling equivalent price (in parenthesis). All of these prices are retail, no discount, and exclude sales taxes/VAT.
Note that apart from the pollen filter all of the parts are the same Nissan part number.
PART..................UK...........US
Oil filter..........£8.34.........£4.45 (£2.83)
Air Filter..........£14.22........£7.52 (£4.78)
Fuel filter.........£11.70.......$10.66 (£6.79)
Drain Washer........£1.29.........$1.46 (£0.93) - Bolt AND washer
Pollen filter......£28.00........$43.56 (£27.74)
6x NGK Pt. plugs...£82.49........$50.28 (£32.03)
Ex. starter.......£249.00 ......$247.88 (£157.88)
Front pads.........£48.70........$50.28 (£32.03)
I think that this makes pretty interesting reading. Many parts are a factor 2-4 more expensive in the UK. I really do not believe that this can be accounted for by different shipping/marketing costs etc. For certain parts (e.g. the started motor) there could be a good saving in buying from the US (assuming one doesn\'t get stung for too much import tax).
I am now trying to get a list of prices from a German dealer. I know the parts are cheaper over there (I bought a set of Pt. plugs from a Munich dealer for about Euro60) - but I want to see the full picture. Read more
There are a number of people on ebay advertising Mercedes service and parts CDs. I'm sure if you contacted them with your requirements they may be able to locate a "spare" w211 parts CD for a small fee. Most parts and service CDs end up going for between £7 and £15. Well worth it!
A5 closed last night c19:00 south from it's junction with the A426. Line of cones and utilities type closure sign rather than police accident. No evident prior indication approaching from Lutterworth (M1/J20). Anyone know if this is days/weeks closure for roadworks or just a one off incident?
Thanks in anticipation. Read more
Hence the regular appearance of the mobile speed camera van.
Browse
VW dealer told me it's not a DIY job as you have to use a headlamp aligner.
Not satisfied with this, I contacted VW UK head office. They say that they 'recommend' the use of their own kit, and that it is fitted by a dealer, but that I could just buy a conversion kit from, e.g., Halfords, and follow the instructions in there.